Gabriel Grecescu IM

Hi Gabriel, here is some personalized feedback on your recent blitz performances.

What you are already doing well

• Dynamic openings with Black. In both the Pelikan/Sveshnikov and the Lasker–Dunne setup (B20) you showed great feel for the thematic breaks ...d5 and ...f5, seizing the initiative instead of merely equalising.
• Tactical alertness. Examples include 17…Qxa8 in your latest win and the long combination starting with 17.Nxe6 in your Scheveningen game. You rarely miss direct tactics once you have spotted the idea.
• Willingness to grind. The 57-move win against szachista4444 shows patience and good practical end-game instincts when you keep things simple (rook + pawn endings, opposition, shoulder checks, etc.).

Key areas to improve

1. Time management.
   Four of the last six decisive results (including the losses to ajedrezcea and Gur Mittelman) were flagged or close to it. Try this drill:
   • Play 10 practice games where you force yourself to be above ⏱️ 2:10 by move 15 and above 1:00 by move 25.
   • Verbalise “candidate moves – blunder check – clock check” before committing.
2. Handling sidelines against 1.e4.
   a) From’s Gambit (Bird) – in your loss to sodumb the critical move 6…d5!? never appeared. Build a small file with two lines you trust, rehearse them in the opening explorer, then play ten 3-minute theme games.
   b) Alapin (c3 Sicilian) – in the loss to Luis Fernández Siles the early …exd4 followed by …O-O allowed White’s e5 thrust. Memorise the basic idea …d5 → …Nf6 → …dxe4 once the centre clarifies.
3. Converting technical endings.
   In the From’s Gambit game you reached an extra pawn rook-and-pawn ending but eventually collapsed. Study rook vs rook + pawn endings for 15-20 minutes a day for one week (e.g. Philidor, Lucena, Vancura and “short-side step”).
4. Prophylaxis in slower structures.
   Against the French King’s-Indian Attack you advanced g4–g5 without first limiting Black’s counterplay, and the queen-side pawn avalanche decided the game. Adopt the discipline of asking “What is my opponent’s next move?” every three plies; this will instantly reduce such oversights.

Study plan for the next two weeks

Quick reference from your latest victory

At-a-glance

Peak blitz rating:
Win-rate trends:  

Motivational note

Your tactical sharpness already keeps you around the 2450-level. Patch up the clock management and a couple of sideline holes and 2500+ is well within reach. Good luck, and enjoy the climb!